Tigers Struggle to Contain Gleyber Torres' Scorching Bat

Detroit's pitching staff has no answer for the Yankees slugger's 67.5 mph exit velocity

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the motion of a baseball player swinging a bat, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives.A cubist interpretation of Yankees slugger Gleyber Torres' powerful swing, which has been a major problem for the struggling Detroit Tigers.Chicago Today

The Detroit Tigers are off to a 7-9 start this season, struggling to keep pace in the AL Central. One of their biggest issues has been containing New York Yankees star Gleyber Torres, who has been crushing the ball with a blistering 67.5 mph average exit velocity on his 40 batted balls so far.

Why it matters

The Tigers' inability to slow down Torres' hot hitting is a concerning early-season trend that could continue to plague them if they can't find a solution. As a division rival, Torres' production against Detroit could have major implications on the AL Central standings.

The details

Through the first 16 games, Gleyber Torres has been a thorn in the Tigers' side, putting 40 balls into play with an average exit velocity of 67.5 mph. This power surge has allowed Torres to get on base consistently and drive in runs, creating major problems for Detroit's pitching staff.

  • The Tigers currently sit at 7-9 on the season, only one game ahead of the Chicago White Sox for last place in the AL Central.

The players

Gleyber Torres

A star slugger for the New York Yankees who is off to a scorching start this season, batting with a 67.5 mph average exit velocity.

Detroit Tigers

The struggling MLB team that is currently 7-9 and trying to find answers for containing Gleyber Torres' hot hitting.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The Tigers' inability to slow down Gleyber Torres' hot hitting could continue to haunt them in the AL Central race if they don't find a solution soon. Containing division rivals' star players is crucial for teams looking to make a playoff push.